Description
Visit with respect as we travel deep into desert environments that depict the history of ancient cultures surrounding the Green River and Nine Mile Canyon in eastern Utah. The multicultural voices of our Indigenous advisors and scholars will provide you with fresh perspectives about this magnificent cultural landscape.
We gather in Green River, Utah to explore sites in the Book Cliffs and San Rafael Swell. We’ll also visit and learn about the complex multicultural history of important corridors where various groups of the Fremont culture concentrated their intricate and beautiful rock imagery.
Highlights
- Enjoy dynamic discussions as we traverse backcountry corridors and visit lesser known sites.
- Spend two nights at Nine Mile Ranch—a rustic, multi-generational ranch that hosts guests in comfortable historic cabins.
Itinerary
Limited to 10 registered participants. Meals, lodging, and transportation provided. Itinerary subject to change.
Sunday, September 29: Arrive in Green River
A group shuttle is offered by staff from Grand Junction airport to Green River, UT. Gather in the evening to meet the group and hear presentations from our scholars to set the stage for the upcoming week. Opening dinner to follow located next to our hotel. Overnight River Terrace Inn, Green River (D)
Monday, September 30: Book Cliffs and Green River
Travel into the Book Cliffs to explore a variety of petroglyph and pictograph panels in two separate canyons. This stark and remote landscape dictates how cultures used remote corridors for ritualistic journeys away from the Green River. Afterward, we visit sites directly along the Green River to understand connectivity from site to site. Overnight River Terrace Inn, Green River (B, L, D)
Tuesday, October 1: San Rafael Swell
Spend the day exploring a variety of rock imagery tucked into the remarkable geologic upwarp known as the San Rafael Swell. Here we investigate the variety of people that moved through this complex country and ones that came to settle the area. Be prepared to hike across sandy and rocky terrain up to a mile to access sites. Overnight River Terrace Inn, Green River (B, L, D)
Wednesday, October 2: Prehistoric Museum in Price and Nine Mile Canyon
Pack up for transfer to Nine Mile Ranch. Spend the morning at the Prehistoric Museum in Price, examining artifacts such as the remarkable Pillings Figurines, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes visit to the curation room with our experts. We also understand how Fremont peoples’ homes were constructed and what foods were prepared. The afternoon takes us into Nine Mile Canyon where an overwhelming and varied array of rock imagery awaits us. Settle in to our backcountry-style accommodations at the Ranch with a Dutch-oven cookout. Special guests join us here for our remaining days.
Overnight Nine Mile Canyon Ranch, Nine Mile Canyon (B, L, D)
Thursday, October 3: Nine Mile Canyon
Learn the varied history of this important corridor that hosts hundreds of sites related to multicultural peoples. We see remnant histories that the rock imagery portrays, with nods to Ute, Pueblo, Paiute, Shoshone, Apache, and Navajo in this mixing zone called the Green River Fremont. Return to the Ranch in mid-afternoon for storytelling and relaxed time in the shade. Enjoy an evening with our hosts for another cookout with fireside stories. Overnight Nine Mile Ranch, Nine Mile Canyon (B, L, D)
Friday, October 4: Price River area
Depart the Ranch for our last day in the field. We explore the Price river area on our journey back to Green River. Our discussions wrap up with parallels of farming practices along certain waterways, contrasted to other corridors we visited that contain ritual sites. Wrap up our journey in Green River with a closing dinner celebration. Overnight River Terrace Inn, Green River (B, L, D)
Saturday, October 5: Departures out of Green River
Plan your departure for anytime in the morning. A group shuttle is offered by the staff to Grand Junction in the morning. (B)
*(B, L, D) indicates meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This program requires special permission from Price BLM, and private landowners. © 2023 by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. All rights reserved. CST 2059347-50
Is this program right for me?
WHAT TO EXPECT We travel to remote areas surrounding Green River, Utah and Nine Mile Canyon, Utah. The itinerary is designed for energetic people in good health who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure. Expect to be outside most of the day to include moderately easy short hikes as well as longer hikes of up to 2.5-miles to visit sites. Expect hikes to travel across uneven and sometimes rocky terrain. Note that some routes may be steep for short sections and have loose rock and no shade. While staff members are available for assistance, you should be comfortable using your hands to steady yourself and be able to take steps higher than a standard staircase step to navigate around boulders and bedrock. Walking sticks are encouraged for steep sections.
This program involves van travel to access sites and trail heads. Some days will include van rides of one hour each way. Other days will include van rides that last 30-minutes to access hikes and sites. This is a remote area that requires distance traveled to get to sites.
Team spirit and a good sense of humor are vital! If you have questions about your ability to handle this sort of challenge, please contact us.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The program begins and ends in Green River, Utah. We are based out of two accommodations, the River Terrace Inn and then Nine Mile Guest Ranch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How strenuous is the program? This is a moderately strenuous program where most site visitation is accessed by hiking from our vehicles across somewhat rocky terrain. Expect a longer hike each day of up to two miles where you will carry a pack with water and any other items such as camera, sunscreen and a trail snack. Binoculars are very handy for those who opt out of scrambling up close to view rock imagery.
How long are the hikes on the trip? Our longest planned hike is just under two miles. Most access involves a short walk or hike from the van.
How much elevation gain do the hikes have? One hike involves an elevation gain of 300-feet on rocky terrain.
What time does the program start on the first day? We will gather at 5:30 p.m. at the River Terrace Inn, Green River, Utah on the first day. Check in between 3:00–5:00 p.m. under your name.
What time does the program end on the last day? Plan your departure for anytime in the morning. If you fly out of Grand Junction, staff will offer shuttles to Grand Junction airport.
Can I drive myself during the program? No, we prefer that you travel with us, as a group, in Crow Canyon vehicles each day.
What if I have a dietary restriction? Breakfasts are buffet-style at the hotel. Lunches will be picnic or bagged sandwiches. Dinners will be at restaurants in Green River and cookouts at Nine Mile Ranch. Please fill out your medical form and check with your Program Manager. We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions to your satisfaction.
Do I need any camping gear on this trip? You may wish to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow for our time at Nine Mile Ranch. They are known as a comfortable “Bunk and Breakfast” guest ranch where we are lodged in clean historic cabins. We will do our best to make you feel comfortable in the more rustic accommodations. This trip requires a sense of adventure, which is eminent at the Guest Ranch, an authentic cowboy ranch.
WHAT NEXT?
Register online or contact Tayler Hasbrouck at travel@crowcanyon.org. Prior to the program start date, we will provide trip details, a packing list, and forms for you to complete. Please direct specific questions and concerns to the Program Manager, Kate Thompson at kthompson@crowcanyon.org.
